Razer Cobra Pro review: the little mouse that could

TechRadar Verdict

The Razer Cobra Pro is a jack-of-all-trades mouse that will suit most people just fine. A symmetrical design, all of the tech from Razer’s own Basilisk V3 Pro and a lower size and weight make this one of the better mice out there.

30k optical sensor

A choice of wired, Bluetooth, or wireless

Lightweight design and some great lighting

Razer Synapse software still bloaty and unwieldy and is required for lighting

Mouse is expensive for what it is

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Razer Cobra Pro: Two-minute review

TheRazerCobra Pro mouse is my new daily driver. No one is more surprised about the fact it could be a contender forbest gaming mouse, I promise. Still, It’s a well deserved win for the Cobra Pro, which combines all of the high-end gaming tech of Razer’s other mice and wrapping it in a cleanly designed shell that, improbably, weighs just 77g.

It’s a mouse that does most things pretty well, but that sizzle is what Razer does best. Taking a simple chassis and putting lots of the best gadgetry into it isn’t a groundbreaking concept, but there’s an art to getting something that feels this polished, and it’s why the Cobra Pro could be a contender for this year’sbest mouse.

Of course when you’re looking at the Cobra Pro’s design, the first thing you’ll notice is the underglow, which makes it look like something out ofa Fast and Furiousmovie than a mouse. There are 11 different zones for Chroma support, and most of them provide the soft customisable glow that kicks out from under the mouse. Usually RGB lighting comes with a little bit of cringe, but it only took a tiny bit of tweaking in Razer’s Synapse software to get a soft purple glow that looks great. The Razer logo and a light beneath the scroll wheel also pump out bright colour, and it’s the only real bit of flair the mouse has.

Otherwise, the mouse does a lot of things right, but it’s quiet about it: it’s a simple symmetrical design with a subdued look. The skates feel high quality, and I like the rubberised grip on the sides, but it doesn’t seem to be replaceable and is definitely the thing that will wear out first. If you’ve seen one of Razer’s Viper Mini, that’s basically what the Cobra Pro looks like.

The weight, 77g, is less than the company’sBasilisk V3 Proall-round mouse, which weighs in at 112g, but the weight distribution did feel a little unusual. I play a lot of first-person shooters, and while digging intoBattlebit RemasteredandEscape From Tarkovover the last few days it felt easy to adjust to the change from theDeathadder. However, the weight feels a little closer to the rear of the mouse. With huge hands this isn’t really a problem, but it could feel a little sluggish for those with smaller hands.

There’s the usual suite of buttons: your left and right click, a scroll wheel, and two buttons on the side. DPI buttons below the scroll wheel let you adjust sensitivity on the fly. These buttons are a real highlight, using Gen-3 Razer Optical Switches that make them feel light and precise whether you’re messing with a spreadsheet or clicking on heads.

A close second is the 30K optical setting, which is overkill for me (I usually run a mouse at 3200 DPI) but does make movement feel silky smooth. If you have the Mouse Dock Pro — which you can buy bundled in or separately — you can also get magnetic wireless charging and4KHyperpolling through the Cobra Pro’s 2.4ghz wireless.

It’s one of the first mice I’ve seen in a while to offer the choice of Bluetooth, 2.4 Wireless (1K or 4K polling), or wired. I’ve opted largely for the 2.4 Wireless with 1K polling and haven’t noticed any latency or reliability issues. With the bundled-in cable, you’ll probably want a mouse bungee as the cable is quite stiff and I felt some pull. There’s also the option to save five different memory profiles, which I played with a bit but didn’t see much of a use for.

As I’ve touched on above, the mouse is reliable and crisp. The buttons feel solid in use, and even sliding it around a desk it’s kept up with everything I’ve asked it to do, so far.

You have a few different options for how you use the mouse. I felt some latency using it with Bluetooth, which was fine for productivity but isn’t really okay for high-pressure shootouts. The mouse with a cable is probably totally usable with the aforementioned bungee, but honestly I think I’ll just stick to wireless.

The battery life is claimed to be 100 hours. I’ve been using the mouse constantly for around a week and have only had to charge it once, but I’ve also turned on a lot of low-battery settings to ensure I don’t get caught short mid-game.

I’m using the mouse with a tempered glass mat, but even using it on a normal wooden desk it’s not missing a beat.

Razer Cobra Pro: Price & availability

Let’s be honest, the price on the Cobra Pro is going to be the sticking point for many. It looks like you’re paying just for the shiny RGBs, but the price is probably worth it, mostly, for the optical switches and the beefy sensor.

It’s about the same price as theRazer Basilisk V3 Proand honestly I’d feel happy recommending either to just about everyone. Right now though, you can also get theLogitech G502 X Plusfor about the same price, with the G502 X offering similar specs but an 106g weight if you prefer something a little weightier.

Razer Cobra Pro: Specs

Should you buy the Razer Cobra Pro?

Buy it if…

You’re after a new all-around mouse and are happy to pay big for itThe specs here are absolutely worth the cash, and it’s a mouse with impeccable performance that won’t let you down.

You game and work on the same machineThe Cobra Pro is happy whether you’re slinging it around a spreadsheet or a shooter, and so if you need a mouse that can do both, this is a perfect option.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t want to spend £130 on a mouseIt’s worth the price, but it’s a lot of cash to drop for a mouse and not everyone will be into it.

You’re not into RGBsThere’s a lot of excellent mice around this price point. The Cobra Pro has a lot of excellent features, but that design and the RGB lights are a major point in its favour. If you don’t like that, the Deathadder V3 (below) might be a better shout.

Razer Cobra Pro: Also consider

Logitech G502 X PlusA mouse with a similar feature set but different profile, the G502 X Plus is a worthy update to a classic mouse that also has a great premium feel. It’s a weightier mouse but has more customization.

Read our fullLogitech G502 X Plus review

Razer Deathadder V3 ProThe Deathadder V3 Pro is a hell of a good mouse, and has a lot of similar technology. However, it’s aimed more at gaming than all-round stuff. No RGB lighting and a simpler design mean it’s somehow even lighter at a breezy 64g.

Read our fullRazer Deathadder V3 Pro review

How I tested the Razer Cobra Pro

I used the mouse solidly for a week for both work and gaming. This was around 100 hours of usage using it anywhere you might expect to use your mouse.

I spent some time inKovacs Aim Trainerusing the mouse to compare it to my previous scores but also played shootersBattlebit Remastered,DayZandEscape From Tarkovto test it out. I rounded this out with clicking through several spreadsheets and this website’s own CMS for a more mellow approach, but played someVictoria 3too to round out the gameathon.

I’ve been reviewing games for 13 years, and playing games mostly on PC for 15. I’m “a little extra” when it comes to mice, because it’s important to get any advantage you can get when you’re playing a shooter but also in your 30s.

TechRadar Verdict#

Razer Cobra Pro: Two-minute review#

Razer Cobra Pro: Price & availability#

Razer Cobra Pro: Specs#

Should you buy the Razer Cobra Pro?#

Buy it if…#

Don’t buy it if…#

Razer Cobra Pro: Also consider#

How I tested the Razer Cobra Pro#